Handle free claw clip

Abstract

A hair clip that opens and closes using an elastic band. The band holds the jaws in an open position (which eliminates the need for the levers) and the band also urges the jaws together to close the clip (eliminating the need for a metal spring). The clip has a length of material that is attached either across its top or around it. Because the jaws have no attached protruding levers for opening and closing them (like the ones in a traditional ‘butterfly’ clip), the length of material lays relatively smooth across the top of the clip, which not only hides the hinge and elastic band (improving the aesthetic appearance of the clip), it makes it possible to decorated the material or add a companies logo thereto.

1. A hair clip comprising:
 two arcuate jaws; each jaw having tines at one end and being connected together at an end opposite the tines by a hinge; 
 at least one elastic band attached to an inside of each jaw, so as to extend there between and urge the tines together so as to grip the hair; wherein when the jaws are spread apart wide enough said band locks said jaws in a spread apart position; 
 each jaw further including an elongated slot adjacent the end opposite the tines which extends perpendicular to the tines; and 
 a length of material having two ends extending over an outer surface of the jaws and through each of the slots with the ends of the material attached together to form a loop, wherein the loop of material substantially covers the hinge and the at least one elastic band. 
 
     
     
       2. A hair clip comprising:
 two arcuate jaws; each jaw having tines at one end and being connected together at an end opposite the tines by a hinge; 
 at least one elastic band attached to an inside of each jaw, so as to extend there between and urge the tines together so as to grip the hair; wherein when the jaws are spread apart wide enough said band locks said jaws in a spread apart position; 
 a tube of material having two open ends; said tube extending from the tines of a respective jaw over the hinge to the tines of the other jaw so as to substantially cover the hinge and the at least one elastic band with the tines of the respective jaw extending outwardly from a respective open end of the tube.